Los Angeles Dodgers: Three bold predictions for new Dodger, A.J. Pollock
By Jason Reed
3. A.J. Pollock has a huge September and October
The biggest reason for the Los Angeles Dodgers wanting to be careful with Pollock in 2019 is because the team is going to need him in September and October much more than they need him in the dog days of summer. Like LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers right now, the Dodgers cannot rush Pollock back from anything that occurs.
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However, even though Pollock might be sidelined for more than 30 games next season, he is not only going to be there when the team needs him most but is going to be a huge component for a strong September and a (hopefully) deep playoff push towards yet another World Series.
An interesting trend about Pollock is that even though he often gets hurt, he is usually present in the later months of the year. Pollock has more games played in September and October (143) than any other month of his career, with October usually being just one series at most in the regular season.
Compare that 143 games to the combined 143 games in June and July and it is evident that Pollock is usually out in the middle of the year, not towards the end.
Not only is he present at the end of the year but he plays some of his best baseball. Pollock has a .277 average and .830 OPS in the closing month of the season with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. That is nearly a season’s worth of sample size and is fantastic.
And on the Dodgers every game matters. While the Arizona Diamondbacks have been contenders, Pollock has not played on a team with a consistent winning culture like the Dodgers where every man steps up and does his part.
Next. Trades to make after signing Pollock. dark
As Russell Martin said, there is something about putting on that Dodgers jersey that brings the magic out of players. Pollock will feel that Dodger blue magic in 2019.